<< Has anyone else out there made this change and how has this affected =
you?
How does classroom management differ between the age groups?
Do you have more or less energy and time for your own art work?
Currently, I have my curriculum down to where I can produce a lot of =
work after school. Will I find that true while teaching high school art?
>>

Depends on the school and your support. Little kids tend to all love
art...they usually get to come only once a week, etc. I would say of my 100
students I see a day, 20 wanted to take art, 20 definitely didn't want to
take art, and 60 don't really care...they thought art was "easy", right above
a study hall. They are very surprised I expect them to do work/put forth
effort for a grade. (So I went from bring the "nice art teacher" in elem. to
the "mean art teacher" in HS!) But the 20 who want to be there are a joy.
Having a student listen, understand a new concept/abstract thought you are
trying to teach, and then actually get it and incorporate it into their
work.....that is priceless, as the commercial says. And I enjoy getting to
really know the student. I have to remind myself they are teenagers, with
all kinds of other stuff going on in their lives.

The energy question is harder to answer. I am thinking my lack of energy is
an aging issue. I am a very intense focus person, so I tend to do my own
work in the summer during large blocks of time, usually with the added
pressure of a show or a class.

Pros and cons to every thing, but I am enjoying HS. I do miss the innocence
of little kids. Good luck! Melissa